Compressed-air water-elevator.



R. S. MGINTYRE.

GOMPRESSBD AIR WATER BLBVATOR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 4, 1912. Patented Apr. 21, 1914 2 SHEETS-SHEET 14 k710 o0 .-.IL Z

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WITNESSES ATTORNEY R. S. MOINTYRE.

GOMPRBSSED AIR WATER ELEVATOR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 4, 1912.

Patented Apr. 21, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Zz I 1:5 155320 efas/zfffflymwffm BY g ATTORNEY WlTN ROBERT SAFFORD MGINTYRE, 0F RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA.

COMPRESSE'D-AIR WATER-ELEVATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Paten-tea Apr. 21, 1914.

Continuation of application Serial-No. 656,671, led 0ctobe1j`25, 1911. This application filed September 4,

. 1912. 'Serial No. 718,529.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ROBERT S. MCINTYRE, a citizen of the United States,'residing at Riverside, in the county of Riverside and State of California, have invented a new and useful Compressed-Air Water-Elevator, lof which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to improvements in compressed air Water elevators, and its object is to provide a water elevator in which compressed air is utilized as'the motive means for causing the water to lbe lifted, and wherein there is no such progressive flow of air to cause the elevation of the water as is usual in compressed ai-1` water elevators.

The invention is designed to be used in connection with wells or other bodies of water from which the water is to be raised, the invention being particularly adapted for use in connection with wells especially where simplicity of structure and efficiency of operation is demanded because of the conditions to be met.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an air actuator connected by suitable pipes or conduits to cylinders immersed in the water, whereby air is alternately compressed and expanded in a manner to first drive out any water which may be in the cylinder or cylinders beneath the surface of the water, and to then cause an inflow of water into the cylinders to be again expelled, and so on. There are no valves whatsoever in the device acting to alternately compress and rarefy the air and the only valves employed are check valves in the water cylinder or cylinders. The water is therefore always expelled in one direction from thepump cylinder or cylinders and never back into the body of water, except that there is provided in each cylinder a balancing hole or passage of relatively small size.

In order to provide for a steady flow of water it is desirable that the device be double or triple acting and, therefore, there are provided two or three water cylinders or chan'iliers and two or three devices for alternately' compressing and rarefying the air` although this does not preclude the use of a single set or more than three sets.

A single/set. of devices-comprises an air cylinder with a piston therein and means for reciprocating the latter, the cylinder being open at one end so far as the flow of 'air is concerned and at the other end is closed.

convenience be called simply a water cylinder, is provided with an iniow check valve andan outflow check valve and also a small balancing perforation or passage in the bottom portion. The invention also contemplates the employment of a quick stroke and slow return mechanism for driving the pist0n in the air cylinder.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, with the further understanding that While the drawings show a practical form of the invention, the latter is susceptible of various changes and modifications so long as the salient features of the invention are retained and the end sought is obtained.

In the drawings Figure l is a view partly in elevation and partly in vertical section of an installation `embodying the present invention. Fig. 2 is a section on t-he line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-'-3 of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a view similar `to Fig. l but illustrating a lesser number ,ofr air pumps and water cylinders and a different type of drive for the air pump. Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 4 and omitting distant parts. Fig. 7 is a vertical section through one-of the air pumps with the piston shown in elevation.

In the drawings, Figs. 1 and 4, there is farms or under other conditions where the apparatus must be operated by unskilled or more inches in diameter and of appropri-` ate depth, although no'attempt is made in the drawings to show any particular proportions.

At the surface of the ground a suitable foundation 2 is built and upon this foundation, which may beof brick orcement or wood, there is erected in the structure shown in Fig. 1 a framework 3 carrying air cylinders 4, one of which is Vsliown more in detail in Fig. 7. This air cylinder is provided with a cooling jacket 5 and with a piston 6, which latter is of the valveless type and may simulate the trunk piston of an explosion engine. The water jacket of each cylinder is connected to pipes 7, 8, by which cooling fluids may enter the water jackets and escape therefrom. At an appropriate point in the air cylinder there are ports 9 which are uncovered for an instant on the suction stroke of the piston, this being the upstroke in the particular arrangement shown, since the pistons are indicated as being mounted in the upright position, but it will be understood that the cylinders may be otherwise mounted. Each piston is connected by a pitman 10 to an appropriate crank of a crank shaft 11 having bearings in the frame 3, and at one end carrying a band pulley 12 by means of which the shaft may be driven. This band pulley is to be understood as symbolizing any suitable power means for rotating the shaft 11. In the particular structure shown in Fig. 1 three air cylinders are indicated, and these are all connected to a single shaft with a displacement of the cranks of one hundred and twenty degrees,

so that the action of the air pumps is practically continuous. y

At an appropriate depth in the well 1 there is lodged a cylinder 13 having an outlet pipe 14. In the particular showing of the drawings the cylinder is in fact a multicylinder and so far as action is concerned each compartment of the cylinder might be a separate cylinder, but for compactness and' steadiness of operation the multi-cylinder construction is to be preferred without, however, any limitation of the invention thereto. The bottom portion of the cylinder is provided with a check valve 15 for each compartment 0f the. cylinder. valves open to the entrance of water into the cylinder, but prevent the escape of water from the cylinder through them.' Below these check valves the cylinder may be provided with a strainer 16 as is customary. The interior of the cylinder is provided with an appropriate number of longitudinal ,Webs 17 dividingit into compartments 18 which These check in the particular instance are three in nu mber, and these webs at an appropriate point in the height of the cylinder may emerge into a pipe 19 to which the pipe 14 is con-` the compartments 18 of the multi-cylinder.

By this means Water may be drawn into any compartment 18 from -the well through the check valve 15, and then discharged into the pipes 19 and 14 through the appropriate one of the check valves 2l, and by timing the operation a continuous stream of water may be forced into the pipe 14 and ultimately out of the well through the top thereof, the pipe 14 leading to the surface of the ground and to a suitable point of disposal.

Each air cylinder 4 is connected at one end to a pipe 22 of relatively small diameter, and each pipe 22 leads to a respective chamber 18 of the cylinder 13. The total capacity of each pipe 22 is considerably less than the capacity of a compartment 18 or the corresponding air cylinder 4. Each compartment 18 communicates with the interior of the well through the bottom of the cylinder 13 by means of a small perforation 23 which may be termed a balancing perforation and to which reference will hereinatteibe made.

In general arrangement the structure of Fig. 4 is similar to that of Fig. l, except that there is a water cylinder 13 having but two compartments 18*il and two check valves 15 one for each.wmpartment, as well as a balancing perforation 23 for each compartment. 'lhe air pipes 22 in Fig. 1 are exterior to the pipe 14 and enter the respective compartments 18 through the upper head of the cylinderl 18, while in the structure shown in Fig. 4 the air pipes 22 are carried into the Well through the pipe 14 and ultimately into the pipe 19 and enter the respective chambers 18a through said pipe 19.

In Fig. 1 the air pulnp pistons are driven by a triple crank shaft, while in the structure of Fig. 4 there is provided a quick stroke and slow return movement for each air pump piston. In this structure there is a drive pulley 24 mounted on a drive shaft 25 journaledina vframe 26 and this drive shaft carries a gear pinion 27 meshing with a gear Wheel 28 mounted on the shaft 29 journaled in the frame 26. The shaft 29 carries cranks 30 each provided with a slidable bearing 3l-inelongated guideways 32 on rock arms 33 each journaled at one end on the frame 26. The other end of each rock'arm 33 is connected to a piston rod 35 which in turn is connected to the piston within the cylinder 4. This arrangement of driving gearing provides for a relatively -tion and a slow movement of the piston in the other. l

Let it be assumed that the .alr pump pistons are, reciprocating then on the movement of` an air pump piston in the appropriate direction, this being an' upward movement in the particular structure shown, the air in the pump cylinder 4, the pipel 22 con-v nected thereto and the chamber 18 to which the pipe 22 communicates is rarefied, lthe stroke of the' piston being what may be termed the suction stroke and as there are no valves in the pump 4 or .pipe 22, the

air is at once-rarefied throughout the connected parts. This means that the atmospheric pressure of the water in the .well causes an iniow of water through the valve 15 into the appropriate chamber 18 or 18 as the case may be. The suction stroke continue-s until just at the termination of the stroke the ports 9 are uncovered, so that the partial vacuum isto an extent relieved. N ow the return or power stroke-ofl the piston commences and the air in the cylinder 4, pipe 22l and chamber 18 or 18 is compressed. The water finds no 'escape through the check valve 15 which is now closed, but maypass out through the chamber 18 through the check valve 21 into the pipe 19 and so into the pipe 14 and as the pump continues to act water is tinally ejected from the pipe 14 above the surface of the ground at a point of disposal of the water being pumped. On the next suction stroke of the air pump the valve 21 closes and the valve 15 opens so that another volume of water is drawn into the chamber 18 or 18 and on the succeeding stroke of the pump this new body of water is driven into the pipe 14.

Actual practice has demonstrated that the presence of the balancing perforation 23 very materially improves the efiiciency .of the pump,l but this perforation is of small area. A hole one-sixteenth of an inch in diameter proved to be correct to balance a pump having a lift of nearly sixty feet and delivering six gallons per minute.` lIf it was desirable. to double the amount of .water delivered it would be necessary to provide a hole of .twice the cross sectional area to get, the saine result. Should, however, 1t be desirable to pump twice the amount, or twelve gallons one hundred and twenty feet high, the hole would remain the saine as at first', namely, one-sixteenth pf an inch, since the pressure and the quantity .then balance the same as when deliveringr sixgallons pn a sixty foot lift. It is found in practice that it is not advisable to increase the size 0f the hole t0 more than about three-eighths 0f an inch irrespective of the lift or the quantity of water being delivered.

that atmospheric conditions have an effect upon the absorption of the air by the water. W 1th, however, an inrush of air just at the completion of the suction stroke, the proper supply of'air is maintained and a slight eX- cess 1s not objectionable, since this will simply escape should the level of the water within .the cylinder 13 or 13 drop below the level. of the valves 21.

The actuating means disclosed in Fig. 4 and which is equally adaptable to one, two, three or more air pumps provides for a slow suction stroke and a quick power-or delivery stroke. On the suction stroke the pressure tending'to cause the water to flow into the water cylinder can never equal atmospheric pressure, but will besomewhat under the same, while on the power stroke or that stroke which forces the water out of a cylinder, the pressure may reach any desirable amount within the capabilities of the apparatus, and the water may be forced out of the cylinder more rapidly than it will flow into the water cylinder. In this way the heavier pressure obtained by the quick pressure stroke permits the forcing ofthe water into the outlet pipe even though there be a considerable head of water therein, and this head may yrepresent a far greater pressure than the available pressure causing the inflow of water into the cylinder. The quick power stroke is therefore of especial value in connection with a pump of the character herein set forth.

It may be stated that in actual practice with the air pumps or cylinders and the water cylinder or cylinders proportioned to cause the pumping of several gallons per minute, the air pipe or pipes may be as small as quartervinch pipes, this size heilig given simply as an illustration and without conlining the invention to it, but showing the relatively very small diameter of the air pipes.

The present'application is a continuation of my application No. 656,671, for com- 1. A water elevating apparatus comprising a cylinder with inlet and outlet valves and adapted to be immersed in the water to be elevated, an air cylinder, a' reciprocatory piston in' the air cylinder, and an air conduit .of relatively small capacity connecting one .end of the air cylinder to the water cylinder, ithe air cylinder being void of valves and having ports between its interior and exterior at that end only of the stroke oi the piston re.- .i'note from theend of the air cylinder connected to the water cylinder, and the water pressed air water .elevator filed October 25,

cylinder being provided with a balancing passage between its interior and exterior.

2. A Water elevating apparatus comprising acylinder with inlet and outlet valves, the outlet valves being 'at a point intermediate of the ends of the cylinder with the inlet valves at one end ofthe cylinder, said cylinder being adapted to be immersed in the water to be elevated, an air cylinder, an air conduit of relatively -small bore connecting one end ofthe air cylinder to that end of the water cylinder remote from the inlet valve, and a reciprocatory piston in the air cylinder, said air cylinder and piston being void of valves, and the air cylinder having ports between the interior and exterior at that end only of the stroke of the piston remote from the end of the air cylinder connected to the water cylinder, and said water cylinder having at the water inlet end a free passage between the interior and exterior. l

3. A water elevating apparatus comprising a water receiving1 compartment adapted to be immersed in t e water to be elevated and provided with inlet and discharge valves and with a freely open passage between the interior and exterior of the compartments, an air duct of relatively small size connected to the water compartment at the end remote from the inlet valve, a valveless air pump provided with a reciprocatory piston and with an unobstructed air port extending from the interior to the exterior of the pump and uncovered by the piston for communication of the interior of the pump with the atmosphere at the limit of the stroke of the piston away from the air conduit connection, and means for actuating'the piston rapidly in one direction and slowly in the other direction.

AAl. A water elevating apparatus comprising a cylinder adapted to be immersed in the water to be elevated and having inlet and outlet valves and also having a balancing passage between its interior and exterior, a valveless air pump provided with a reciprocatory. piston, an air duct leading from the pump to the water cylinder in free communication with both and of relatively small size, and means for actuating the piston of the air pump slowly in one direction and rapidly in the other direction.

5. A water elevating apparatus comprising a cylinder adapted to be immersed in the water to be elevated and provided with inlet and'outlet valves and also provided with a balancing passage between its interior and exterior, an air duct Ofrelatively small bore connected to the end of the Water cylinder remote from the inlet valve, an air cylinder 4connected at o ne end to the air `duct in free communication therewith, a reciprocatory piston in the air cylinder, both the piston and air cylinder being void of valves, and means for actuating the piston slowly on the suction strokeand rapidly on the compression stroke.

6. A water elevatingapparatus comprising a cylinder adapted to be immersed in the water to be elevated and provided with inlet and outlet valves, an air duct ofrelatively. small bore connected to the end of the water cylinder remote from the inlet valve, an air cylinder connected at one end to the air duct in free communication therewith, a reciprocatory piston in the air cylinder, both the piston and air cylinder being Void of valves, and means for reciprocating the piston slowly on the suction stroke and rapidly on the compression stroke, the water cylinder being provided with a freely open passage between its interior and exterior at the end provided with the inlet valve.

7. A water elevating apparatus comprising a multi-compartment member with each compartment provided with inlet and outlet valves, vthe inlet valve of each compartment being at one end thereof and the outlet valve being located intermediate of the ends of the coinpaitment, and the compartment having also a free passage of relatively small area through the end provided with the inlet valve, an air d uct of relatively small cross sectional area connected to each compartment at the end thereof remote from the inlet valve, and a multi-cylinder air pump having as many cylinders as there are water compartments with one end of each cylinder freely connected to the corresponding end of the air duct individual thereto, a reciprocatory piston in each air cylinder, both the cylinder and piston being void of valves, and the cylinder being provided with free means of communication between its exterior and interior at the limit of movement of thc piston away from the air duct, and means` for reciprocating the pistons in dephased relation. d l

8. A water elevating apparatus comprising a multi-compartment member with each compartment provided withy inlet and outlet valves, the inlet valve of each compartment being at one end thereof and the outlet valve being located intermediate of the ends of the compartment, and the com artment having also a free passage of relatively small area through the end provided with the inlet valve, an air duct of relatively small cross sectional area connected to each compartment at the end thereof remote from the inlet valve, and a ymulti-cylinder air pump having as many cylinders as there are water compartments with one end ofeach cylinder freely connected to the corresponding end of the air duct individual thereto, a reciprocatory -piston in each air cylinder, both the cylinder andpiston being void of valves, and the cylinder being provided with free means of communication between its exterior and interior at the limit of movei 1,093,871 v l5 i ment of the piston away from the air duct, In testimony, that I claim the foregoinglr and means for reciprocating the pistons in as my own, I have hereto affixed my signadephased relation, said last named means ture in the presence of two Witnesses.

being constructed to impart a relatively slow ROBERT SAFFORD MGINTYRE. 5 movement to each piston away from the air Witnesses: f

duct connection and a relatively rapid LAFAYETTE Giu., movement toward such air duct connection. INIABE'J PARKIN, 

